"Zelizer takes the full measure of the entire story [of Johnson's liberal agenda] in all its epic sweep. Before Johnson, Kennedy tried and failed to achieve many of these advances. Our practiced understanding is that this was an unprecedented liberal hour in America, a moment, after Kennedy's death, when the seas parted and Johnson could simply stroll through to victory. As Zelizer shows, this view is off-base: in many respects America was even more conservative than it seems now, and Johnson's legislative program faced bitter resistance" --Amazon.com. Documents the ambitious agenda through which President Lyndon Johnson and Congress passed the Civil Rights Act, launched the Medicare and Medicaid programs, created the National Endowment for the Arts, and enacted other pivotal advances.

The challenges of a liberal presidency -- Deadlocked democracy -- New president, same old Congress -- Legislating civil rights -- How Barry Goldwater built the Great Society -- The fabulous Eighty-Ninth Congress -- Congressional conservatism revived -- The triumph of austerity politics -- The endurance of the Great Society.